The Kremlin has described as “outrageous and insulting” comments by U.S. officials alleging that Russian President Vladimir Putin is corrupt.

A White House spokesman said on January 28 that earlier remarks by a U.S. Treasury Department official alleging Putin is corrupt were a reflection of the administration's view.

"This statement is outrageous and insulting," Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov told a conference call on January 29 with journalists, referring to the White House comment.

"In general, we see that overseas they have started preparing for Russia's presidential election, which is still more than two years away," Peskov said.

"It is clear that negative stuff is being accumulated to be used against the head of our state...to exert pressure and influence the course of the future election campaign."

Adam Szubin, the U.S. Treasury’s acting secretary for terrorism and financial crimes, said in an interview with BBC Panorama on January 26 that Putin is “a picture of corruption” -- secretly wealthy, corrupt, and focused on enriching his friends and political allies.